1965 reasonably priced classic

[Tyre Smoke]

Some of you may remember my post some (considerable) time ago about putting a classic on my taxi fleet. The general acceptance was an Austin Cambridge Farina would be the 'right' period taxi.
Anyway, that plan was vetoed by my wife. It might get resurrected, but only after more pressing funding requirements,

Something I think I could get away with and is something i've always wanted is a car the same age as me. Something that is driveable, not a garage queen or ovwerly complicated to work on. So what is available from 1965 that would provide a rolling restoration for about £2k - or is that unreasonable and I need to spend more?

[Turbobanana]

Off the top of my head I can't think of much that you could buy for £2000 that would actually work, even as a rolling restoration.

I guess you might find a Morris Minor or something, hanging on by the skin of its teeth, but what else?

[vixen1700]

Think you're gonna need more than £2k.

Even beige stuff like Hillman Minxs etc are double that at least.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1186057

How about a 1961 Consul Classic needing a bit of work?

A little bit older than you of course.

[jeremyc]

1965 Triumph Herald for £2,000


1965 Ford Taunus Transit for £2,000 ono.

[Riley Blue]

I paid £2,500 for my Riley One-Point-Five ten years ago and drove it for three years before its first MOT failure (rust). It's since been restored and it's now good for trips of a couple of thousand miles, e.g. LeJoG.

Rust is the biggest concern with any car from this era, mechanically they're simple to maintain and service parts are readily available. You may need to stretch your £2,000 and be prepared to do a lot of spannering, perhaps frequently as I did in the early days but once it's all up and running, a '60s car shouldn't give too much trouble apart from rust, did I mention rust?

[Tyre Smoke]

Spanners I can do. Nothing on a 60s car would faze me.

Welding is another matter.

[Old Merc]

In the 60`s almost all taxi`s in Europe were Peugeot 404`s and in the 70`s Peugeot 504`s. They were bullet proof and very reliable,trouble is you would have difficulty finding one now that`s not rusty.
Rust is going to be the main issue with a 50+ year old car,so you should consider one that has been restored. You want it in your taxi fleet working not stuck in a workshop costing you ££`s.
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C942284

|https://thumbsnap.com/DHww3X7W[/url]

Edited by Old Merc on Thursday 16th January 17:15

[AMGSee55]

I think £2K is off the bottom of the scale now for anything usable from ‘65. £3-4K yes if you buy privately and focus on stuff like Triumph/Wolseley 1300s, Hunters/Gazelles, and as you say, are prepared to get your hands dirty.

[pomodori]

You're not going to see many other Taunus Transits similar to the one posted by JC ,not in the UK anyway.

Looks interesting ,if bit scruffy.

[Keep it stiff]

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1191468

[Tyre Smoke]

That's a heck of a project! ^^^

I'm going to have to go my budget. Even £3k brings a lot more options. Although I have got my eye on a couple of A35s on the bay. Admittedly they're older at late 50s.

[Ambleton]

Tyre Smoke said:

I have got my eye on a couple of A35s on the bay. Admittedly they're older at late 50s.

The best thing about A35s is that they shared so many bits with so many other cars that parts, replacements and upgrades can be had for little money. If it had an Aseries engine, chances are it has some common components.

Theres a 1965 minx that's currently on ebay that is sitting in your price bracket in Lincolnshire.

[Tyre Smoke]

See that. It's on my watch list.

[austina35]

as an owner of an A30 and A35, be careful when you purchase one. they are great looking in the pictures but they can hide some serious rot problems. you can get most of the repair panels from the owners club, but it won't be cheap to weld one up.

As for the mechanicals, it's easy to upgrade the brakes, suspension and engine with the MG midget parts. My A30 has been modified quite a bit and happily sits at 70mph on the motorway and does get a few stares when I overtake people.

great cars that have a great following.